MEDICAL MATTERS
- Medical Matters features questions asked by Members of the ME Association on health-related topics.
- Dr Charles Shepherd and the ME Association's other advisers answer these questions by sharing their expert knowledge.
- Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor’ series in ME Essential magazine.
- It is a free resource that supplements the detailed information contained in the full range of literature that can be found in the website shop.
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Questions in the Category: Iron
Ferritin blood test and iron supplements
Firstly, is there any guidance and research into low ferritin levels and ME?
Secondly, is it worth taking an iron supplement to increase energy levels even if serum ferritin levels are normal and there aren't any symptoms or signs of iron deficiency anaemia?
Thirdly, are there any risks to taking one of the commercial iron supplements that you can buy over the counter in a pharmacy and that are advertised for treating fatigue?
Blood ferritin level raised, iron overload and haemochromatosis
I’m a 30-year-old man who suffers with fluctuating mild to moderate ME. In addition to classic ME symptoms – debilitating fatigue, brain fog, etc – I also have quite a lot of joint and stomach pain which seem to be more marked and persistent than is normal in ME.
In blood tests I’ve had since having the symptoms, I noticed that I have a slightly elevated ferritin level. Could this mean that I have an iron-storage disorder called haemochromatosis because I know that one of my distant relatives had this condition? Should I now go back to my GP?
Blood Test: Platelet Count
Has any link has been found regarding blood platelet abnormalities and ME/CFS? Over the past 3 years, my platelet levels have all been consistently higher than normal. On two occasions this has been due to infections. On other occasions, the inflammatory markers in my blood were normal – as was everything else. I’ve looked online for an explanation, but there are so many research papers I wasn’t sure where to start.
Anaemia
A friend of mine with ME/CFS takes a daily iron supplement to help with her fatigue. She says I ought to do the same – even though I know I’m not anaemic. This has been confirmed by a recent GP blood test. So is there any evidence that taking iron tablets could help to boost energy levels in ME/CFS? And is it safe to do so if you are not anaemic?
Dr Charles Shepherd
Dr Shepherd has been Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association for more than 40 years. He is integral to the charity's activities and provides information and support based on his professional knowledge, personal experience as a doctor with ME/CFS, and the understanding gained from helping many thousands of people with the condition. He was a member of the comittee responsible for the 2021 NICE Clinical Guideline and is a recognised expert on ME/CFS in the UK. His knowledge extends to Post-Viral Fatigue Syndromes (PVFS), Myalgic Encephalopathy/Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or Long Covid.
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Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor‘ series featured in the highly-regarded member’s magazine, ME Essential, and in the healthcare professional magazine, ME Medical. Both are produced by the ME Association and published as hard-copy magazines every 3 months and sent to members and healthcare professionals by post to home or business addresses.
If you are a Health Care Professional you can sign-up to receive ME Medical magazine (people with ME/CFS can also nominate their HCP by completing the sign-up form).